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Veterinary parasitology1995; 58(1-2); 99-108; doi: 10.1016/0304-4017(94)00698-c

The prevalence and abundance of internal parasites in working horses autopsied in Poland.

Abstract: The digestive tracts of 50 working horses from private farms in Poland were examined. Thirty-seven nematode species, two tapeworm species and one species of botfly were recovered. The most prevalent small strongyle species were Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cyathostomum coronatum, Cylicostephanus calicatus, Cylicocyclus leptostomus and Cylicostephanus minutus. Thirteen cyathostome species showed a site preference in the ventral colon, five in the dorsal colon and three in the caecum. One species, Cylicocyclus triramosus, was new for Poland. Delafondia vulgaris was the most common large strongyle, with 74% prevalence, but low abundance. Parascaris equorum (26%) and Oxyuris equi (36%) were common. Strongyloides westeri (4%), Habronema majus (16%) and Habronema muscae (8%) were less prevalent. Both Habronema species were new for Poland. Tapeworm infection were not prevalent (Anoplocephala magna (4%) and Anoplocephala perfoliata (4%)). Botfly larvae were found in 40% of the horses examined. It was stated that no anthelmintics had been used on the farms.
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Publication Date: 1995-05-01 PubMed ID: 7676606DOI: 10.1016/0304-4017(94)00698-cGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigated the types and prevalence of internal parasites found in the digestive tracts of 50 working horses in Poland. It exposed that 37 nematode species, two tapeworm species, and a species of botfly were present, with certain worm species being more common than others. The horses had not been treated with anthelmintics.

Research Methodology

  • Researchers in this study dissected the digestive systems of 50 working horses from private farms in Poland, aiming to identify and quantify the types of internal parasites present.
  • Their study covered a diversity of parasite species, including nematodes (roundworms), tapeworms, and botflies.

Findings and Analysis

  • The research identified 37 different species of nematodes, two species of tapeworms, and one species of botfly across the samples.
  • Within the nematode group, small strongyles (Cyathostomes) were notably prevalent. The study recorded multiple species of these worms, with each showing a different site preference in the horse’s digestive tract. There were thirteen cyathostome species noted that preferred the ventral colon, five preferred the dorsal colon, and three favored the caecum.
  • The research brought to light a kind of nematode known as Cylicocyclus triramosus that had not been previously recognized in Poland.
  • When looking at large strongyles (Strongylinae), Delafondia vulgaris was the most common, with a prevalence of 74%. However, it had low abundance, indicating that it was widespread among the horses, but the individual numbers of this parasite were low in the horses it infected.
  • Other common parasites included Parascaris equorum (a roundworm, discovered in 26% of the horses), and Oxyuris equi (a pinworm, found in 36% of the horses).
  • Of the less prevalent parasites, Strongyloides westeri was found in 4% of the horses, Habronema majus in 16%, and Habronema muscae in 8%. The two Habronema species were previously unknown in Poland.
  • Even though tapeworm infection was rare, with both Anoplocephala magna and Anoplocephala perfoliata each found in just 4% of the horses, botfly larvae were detected in 40% of the subjects.
  • The farms from which the horses came had not used any anthelmintics, drugs designed to treat parasitic worm infestations.

Conclusion

  • The research provides valuable data about parasite prevalence, variety, and their locations within the horse’s digestive system in Poland.
  • With the identification of new species and the recognition that horses were not previously treated with anthelmintics, these findings could be used to guide future treatment and prevention strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Gawor JJ. (1995). The prevalence and abundance of internal parasites in working horses autopsied in Poland. Vet Parasitol, 58(1-2), 99-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4017(94)00698-c

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 0304-4017
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 58
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 99-108

Researcher Affiliations

Gawor, J J
  • W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cestoda / growth & development
  • Cestoda / isolation & purification
  • Cestode Infections / epidemiology
  • Cestode Infections / parasitology
  • Cestode Infections / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary
  • Male
  • Myiasis / epidemiology
  • Myiasis / veterinary
  • Nematoda / growth & development
  • Nematoda / isolation & purification
  • Nematode Infections / epidemiology
  • Nematode Infections / parasitology
  • Nematode Infections / veterinary
  • Poland / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Seasons

Citations

This article has been cited 30 times.
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